10 Family-Friendly Beach Food Ideas (That Aren't Sandwiches!)

Beach food doesn't always have to be bread! Don't get me wrong, the traditional Maltese ħobż biż-żejt ticks plenty of boxes when it comes to flavour and nutrition, but this summer, we’ve been all about adding a little more variety to our beach meals.

When I’m planning what to pack for a day at the beach, there are a few things I always keep in mind:

a. How filling is it?
I don't know if it's just our family, but we definitely seem to eat more when we swim! 😂 So I try to include foods with a good combination of protein and healthy fats to keep little (and big) tummies satisfied for longer.

b. Food safety
Beach days can mean food sitting out in the heat for a while, so I try to be mindful about what I pack. Foods containing rice, meat, eggs and dairy aren't automatically unsuitable for the beach, they just need proper temperature control. 

c. Easy to eat
If we're going on the boat, I don't mind taking food that needs to be served on a plate. But when we're actually at the beach, I much prefer handheld food and finger foods that can be eaten easily without too much mess — especially when there are sandy hands involved!

4. One meal for everyone
I always try to prepare food that the whole family enjoys. There’s no way I’m carrying different menus for everyone! 😂 One meal, packed up and ready to go, makes life so much easier.

A quick note on food safety: When taking foods such as cooked chicken, rice, eggs, cheese or pasta salad to the beach, keep them properly chilled using an insulated lunch bag/cooler and ice packs, and avoid leaving perishable food sitting in the sun or heat for extended periods. When in doubt, keep it cold!

So, if you're looking for something a little different from the usual sandwich or ħobż biż-żejt, these are some of our favourite beach meals that I've been making on repeat this summer. They're easy to pack, filling, family-friendly and, most importantly, actually get eaten!

1. Charcuterie board

I love to include hard cheeses, some cured meats, nuts and crackers or bread sticks. I might also include some fruit or veg to balance out the salt. I love using the Melii Snackle Box for this because everyone can help themselves to what they like without needing separate containers. Choose your size of snackle box (6, 9 or 12 sections) depending on the number of people or whether this is just a snack or a main meal. 

       

2. Chicken wraps

I often prep shredded chicken at home which I keep for things like wraps and salads. You can bake or boil Chicken breast or chicken thighs and then shred using an electric whisk or 2 forks. Prepare the wrap with ingredients your family love. My daughter will take her wrap with a little bit of sweet chilli sauce, lettuce or baby spinach, shredded chicken, and a little red bell pepper. Wrap bands come in very handy to keep the wrap from falling apart.

 

3. Chicken Caprese pasta salad

This is one of our favourites and also one of the easiest to prepare. Just cook your regular pasta with pesto and then add mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, and shredded chicken. I like to keep the ingredients separate in a lunchbox and combine them when serving, so that the pasta salad does not clump together. 

4. Salmon, quinoa, feta, vegetable salad

This is a Thermomix Cookidoo recipe but you can adapt to your liking. The salmon is steamed (or baked) with some olive oil, garlic and lemon. The ingredients of the salad are as follows: 

• 100g uncooked Quinoa
• 1 Capsicum,
• 50g onions,
• 120g cucumber,
• 150g feta,
• 100g kale or spinach,
• 1 avocado,
• 300g chopped tomatoes. 
• Dressing: olive oil, Dijon mustard, vinegar, fresh herbs

Method

• Steam or bake your salmon with a little lemon and herbs and then set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile cook quinoa according to package instructions
• In a large bowl add all the vegetables chopped into little cubes: capsicum, onions, cucumber, tomatoes and avocado. 
• Add the quinoa and the salmon broken up into chunks and mix. 
• Make a dressing with olive oil, Dijon mustard, vinegar and any fresh herbs like basil, chives or parsley. And add it to the bowl. Toss altogether. 
• Add feta cheese, kale or baby spinach, and if you want some pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries.  
  

     

5. Chicken & Avocado Rice Paper Rolls 

For the rolls

* 8–10 rice paper wrappers
* 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded (rotisserie chicken works well)
* 1 avocado, sliced
* 1 cucumber, cut into thin matchsticks
* 1 carrot, julienned
* 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
* 1 cup shredded lettuce or baby spinach
* Rice vermicelli (optional, a small handful if you want them more filling)

Toss the shredded chicken with some lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and honey.  and let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Assemble the rolls:

1. Dip one rice paper briefly in warm water until just pliable.
2. Lay it on a damp board or clean towel.
3. Place lettuce first, then the chicken, avocado, cucumber, carrot, peppers, and herbs.
4. Fold the sides in, then roll tightly like a burrito.
5. Repeat with the remaining wrappers.

Pack a dipping sauce such as sweet chilli or peanut dipping sauce in a leak proof container such as our Melii condiment containers. And make sure the rolls are kept chilled until eating.

 

6. Chickpea Salad

I usually just wing this with what I have available, but a favourite combination is the following:

• Chickpeas, drained
• Cucumber
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red pepper
• Feta
• Kalamata olives
• Lemon zest

Put all the chopped ingredients in a large bowl. Prepare a dressing with 3 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic granules, cumin, oregano and salt & pepper. Toss everything together before packing it. I like to take this in the Nora bowl which is the perfect size for us 3.

7. Teriyaki Beef bowl 

Just like a poke bowl but inside a lunchbox. Season 500g Beef with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and fry until brown.  Add 1/3 cup Teriyaki sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. Allow to cool. Assemble with cooked rice, edamame, red bell pepper and cucumber. I take this when I know I can keep the rice cold in the food safe temperature zone. I like to carry it in the Lekkabox Prep glass lunchbox

8. Quiche

This is delicious served hot or cold so I like to prepare it in advance and take it cold. This summer my craze was leek and spinach quiche. 

• Grated Parmesan 50g (plus more for topping)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large leek, white part only, cut in slices
• 80g baby spinach
• 6 eggs
• half cup milk
• 2 spring onions
• dried parsley, salt & pepper to taste

Method:

• Put oil and leek in a frying pan and sauté for 5 minutes. Add spinach until it wilts. 
  
• Beat eggs in a large bowl and add milk, spring onions, parsley, Parmesan, salt and pepper and mix well. 
• Blind bake some shorty crust pastry in a dish (26cm) for 10 minutes
• Add the egg mixture and bake for 35-40 minutes at 180°C until golden brown and just set. Store in the fridge until it's time for the beach. 

9. Mixed Snack Box

I usually pack this in a large b.box lunchbox (2 litre capacity) for a short afternoon at sea. I raid the pantry to see whatever I can add. Typical snacks include dip with veg sticks and crackers, savoury packaged snack, fruit, nuts, cheese and a sweet treat that doesnt melt such as wafer or biscuits. 

10. Frozen grapes

We always take fruit by the sea. Fruit is refreshing and contributes to hydration and is the best dessert on hot days. Our favourites are peaches, melon and watermelon. But recently I've discovered frozen grapes and I am addicted! If you've never tried these, put it on your list - they turn out crunchy like granita or slushy if they start to defrost. Either way, I'm never going back to eating regular grapes at the beach 😅

Tip: Freeze them in advance in a b.box lunch tub and pop them straight into your lunchbox or cooler. They'll help keep the other food cool while they slowly defrost.

At the end of the day, beach food doesn't need to be complicated. I just look for things that are filling, easy to eat, enjoyed by everyone and practical to pack. And if it means I don't have to make four different lunches before heading out the door, even better!

👉Explore the best ways to store your beach snacks by browsing our Lunchbox section. Cutlery and accessories can be found here